In a move that’s sent shockwaves through the baseball world, the Cincinnati Reds have announced that Hall of Fame catcher and franchise legend Johnny Bench is officially returning to the organization — this time, not as a player, but as a Senior Coaching Advisor.
The announcement was made early Saturday morning during a surprise press conference at Great American Ball Park, where fans had already begun gathering for the Reds’ weekend home stand against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Bench, 77, appeared alongside Reds General Manager Nick Krall and team owner Bob Castellini, beaming with pride and visibly emotional.
“This place has always been home,” said Bench. “The Reds gave me my career, my memories, and my legacy. Now, it’s time for me to give something back — to help build the next generation of great Reds players.”
Bench’s role will focus on mentoring young catchers, advising the coaching staff on game strategy, and contributing to player development at both the major league and Triple-A levels. His return is seen as part of the Reds’ renewed push to combine old-school leadership with modern analytics.
Current Reds manager David Bell praised the decision:
“Having Johnny around isn’t just inspirational — it’s instructional. His knowledge of the game, especially from behind the plate, is unmatched. Our guys are going to benefit immensely.”
Bench played his entire 17-year career with the Reds from 1967 to 1983, earning 14 All-Star selections, 10 Gold Gloves, and two National League MVP Awards. He was a central figure in the iconic Big Red Machine teams that won back-to-back World Series titles in 1975 and 1976.
Fans have already taken to social media, sharing their excitement under the hashtag #BenchIsBack, with some calling it “the best Reds news in decades.”
Johnny Bench is expected to join the dugout during batting practice on Sunday and will be formally honored in a pregame ceremony next weekend.
